What Is the NCLEX? A Complete Guide to the Nursing Licensure Exam

What the NCLEX is, in plain terms

The NCLEX is the licensure exam every nurse in the United States must pass before practicing. It comes in two versions: the NCLEX-PN, for students looking to become a Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse, and the NCLEX-RN, for students getting licensed as a Registered Nurse.

This guide walks through what the exam covers, how it’s structured, how to prepare, what happens if you don’t pass, and how state licensure actually works. We’ve also pulled together answers to the questions students ask most often once they’re close to test day.

How the NCLEX works: the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format

The current exam is the Next Generation NCLEX, often shortened to NGN. The redesigned exam launched in April 2023 and updates on a regular cycle.

It consists of:

• Computer-adaptive testing (CAT).
  The exam adjusts in real time based on how you’re performing. Answer a question correctly and the next one tends to be harder. Miss one and the algorithm steps back. This way, it can assess the boundaries of your knowledge better than a fixed-question exam.
• Different question types.
  You’ll see a mix that goes beyond multiple choice. Common item types include multiple response, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot (where you click on a diagram), drag-and-drop ordering and drop-down rationales. Many of these allow for partial credit instead of an incorrect or correct answer.
• Case studies.
  Unfolding case studies walk you through a single patient scenario across six linked items. They ask you to recognize cues, analyze information, prioritize, generate solutions, take action, and evaluate outcomes. They’re designed to look like the thinking real nurses do on shift.

More details:

• Length and time.
  Because the exam questions adjust in real time, the length varies. Both the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN range from 85 to 150 questions. You have up to five hours to complete the exam, but many students finish earlier.
• Where and how you take it.
  The NCLEX® is administered at Pearson VUE testing centers nationwide. You’ll be checked in, photographed, and given a locker for personal items before being seated at a workstation.

How to prepare for the NCLEX

Preparing for the NCLEX starts long before graduation. In many ways, your nursing program is your first and most important form of preparation.

Every lecture, lab, simulation and clinical experience helps build the knowledge and clinical judgment you’ll need — not just for the exam, but for the patients you’ll care for throughout your career. A strong nursing education gives you the foundation. Dedicated NCLEX prep helps strengthen it.

Many students use a combination of these tools as they get ready for test day:

• Question banks: Practice questions that mirror the NCLEX format, including Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) case studies. These help you build confidence, improve test-taking skills and strengthen clinical reasoning.
• Review books: Structured content review organized by NCLEX topics. These can be helpful for revisiting areas where you need extra support.
• Practice exams: Full-length tests that help you get comfortable with pacing, timing and the overall exam experience.
• NCLEX prep courses: Guided programs from providers like Kaplan, UWorld and ATI can be a great option if you prefer a more structured study plan.

Many graduates spend about six to eight weeks preparing after nursing school, studying consistently and creating a plan that works for their schedule and learning style.

A few study habits can make a big difference:

• Prioritize practice questions.
  Reading notes and textbooks can help, but answering questions helps you apply what you’ve learned and think the way the NCLEX asks you to think.
• Take time to review rationales.
  Understanding why an answer is correct or incorrect can strengthen your clinical judgment and help you spot patterns.
• Build your endurance.
  The NCLEX is a long exam, so practicing in longer study sessions can help you prepare mentally and physically for test day.
• Give yourself time.
  The exam covers a wide range of topics, and steady preparation is often more effective than trying to study everything at once.

If you’re a Galen student, NCLEX preparation is built into your nursing education from day one. We want to help you grow your confidence and your readiness every step of the way.

What is a “good” NCLEX pass rate?

When you’re researching nursing programs, one number you’ll likely see often is NCLEX pass rate. This refers to the percentage of graduates who pass the exam on their first attempt, and it can offer helpful insight into how well a program prepares students to become a licensed RN.

A strong NCLEX pass rate often reflects a program that supports students academically, builds clinical judgment throughout the curriculum and prepares graduates for the realities of nursing practice.

It’s also helpful to understand the bigger picture. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the national first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates was 91.2% in 2024, while the NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate was 79.1%.

When comparing schools, pass rates can be a useful benchmark, but they’re only one part of the story. It’s also important to look at factors like clinical experience, student support, faculty guidance and overall program fit.

A few things to keep in mind when reviewing NCLEX pass rates:

• Pass rates can change from year to year. Small shifts are normal and may reflect differences in student cohorts as much as curriculum.
• Smaller programs may see bigger swings. In a smaller graduating class, just a few test results can significantly impact percentages.
• Look for consistency over time. Reviewing three to five years of pass-rate data can give you a clearer picture of a program’s long-term outcomes.
• Ask about campus-specific results. Galen College has multiple campuses across the country, so it can be helpful to understand performance at the location you’re considering.

What happens if you don’t pass the NCLEX?

Not passing the NCLEX can feel discouraging, especially after everything you’ve already invested in nursing school. But it’s important to remember: it’s one small setback, not the end of your journey.

Many successful nurses didn’t pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. What matters most is how you move forward.

In most cases, you can retake the NCLEX after a 45-day waiting period. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) allows up to eight attempts per year, though some state boards may have additional requirements.

If you need to retake the exam, here are a few important next steps:

• Review your Candidate Performance Report (CPR).
  This report shows where you performed well and where you may need additional review, helping you create a more focused study plan.
• Adjust your study strategy.
  Sometimes it’s not about studying more — it’s about studying differently. If one resource didn’t work for you the first time, consider adding new tools like question banks, review courses or tutoring.
• Reflect on the testing experience.
  Test anxiety, fatigue, pacing and stress can all affect performance. Many students feel more confident the second time because they know what to expect.

How Galen prepares you for the NCLEX

At Galen, NCLEX preparation isn’t something that starts right before graduation. It’s part of your nursing education from the very beginning.

Our curriculum is designed to help you build the knowledge, clinical judgment and confidence needed for both the exam and your future nursing career.

Across our campuses, that preparation includes:

• Curriculum aligned with the current NCLEX test plan.
  Coursework and assessments are designed to support the concepts tested on the exam.
• Practice with Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) question types.
  Students work through case studies and NGN-style questions throughout the program so the format feels familiar by test day.
• Hands-on simulation experiences.
  Our simulation labs give students the opportunity to apply what they’re learning in realistic patient-care scenarios.
• Clinical experience through our partnership with HCA Healthcare.
  Through real-world clinical placements, students can gain valuable bedside experience and strengthen their clinical judgment in active healthcare settings.
• Faculty guidance and support.
  Our instructors bring real nursing experience into the classroom and are there to support students through every stage of the journey.
• Dedicated NCLEX review.
  As graduation approaches, students receive focused reviews and preparation designed to bring everything together.

At Galen, our goal is to help students graduate ready to take the next step with confidence — prepared to provide safe, compassionate care and begin meaningful careers in nursing.